News

In response to the accelerating rise in CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions and the urgent need to eliminate six billion tons annually to avoid irreversible climate damage, LACNet—the largest public and permissioned blockchain network in Latin America and the Caribbean—has launched a call for participation in the “Innovating for a Carbon-Neutral Future” Hackathon. This global initiative aims to develop technological solutions that transform the carbon market and accelerate climate action.

Applicants have until June 15 to submit their proposals, which will be reviewed by a panel of LACNet experts. This is a unique opportunity for innovators and tech experts who want to make a real impact in the fight against climate change and shape the future of the carbon market.

The hackathon will begin on July 1st with the project development and mentorship phase. From May 21 to 23, teams will present their ideas virtually at GITEX Europe, one of the world’s leading tech events, giving them visibility before industry leaders. On October 1, finalists will pitch their refined projects to a panel of judges, who will select the overall winner. From October 13 to 17, the selected winners will participate virtually in GITEX.

The call is open to entrepreneurs, developers, blockchain specialists, carbon project teams, renewable energy companies, universities, public sector entities, and organizations interested in offsetting their emissions. During the competition, participants will have the chance to design and prototype a carbon emission tokenization platform, with the support of mentors and experts throughout the process.

The hackathon seeks to develop innovative solutions that make the carbon market more efficient, simple to implement, and aligned with international standards. With this approach, the goal is to recognize the value of carbon captured by farmers and simplify processes, thereby accelerating progress and enabling more effective climate action.

LACNet's work, driven by RedCLARA and LACNIC, in collaboration with the innovation lab of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB Lab), has been instrumental in building capacities around the use of blockchain technology for the common good. This effort has opened new possibilities for developing solutions with a positive impact on the region.

The hackathon is organized by LACNet, LACCHAIN, and the Government of Slovenia, with support from the Government of Brazil and UnBCHAIC.

For registration and more information, visit https://lacnet.com/hackathon-carbon-tokenization.